VAT For Small Businesses (UK)

1. VAT Foundations: Understanding the Basics Without Panic

   8 lessons

   1. Welcome & How to Use This Course
   2. Important Information & Educational Disclaimer
   3. What VAT Actually is (In Plain English)
   4. Why VAT Feels So Confusing (And Why That's Normal)
   5. Who This Course Is For (And Who It's Not For)
   6. How HMRC Looks at VAT (The Big Picture)
   7. Common VAT Myths That Cause Panic
   8. What This Course Covers (And What It Doesn't)

2. Do You Need to Register for VAT?

   6 lessons

   1. VAT Registration Threshold Explained
   2. Turnover vs Profit (Critical Difference)
   3. When VAT Registration Is Compulsory
   4. Voluntary VAT Registration - Pros & Cons
   5. Late Registration & Backdating Explained
   6. What Happens After you Register for VAT

3. VAT Schemes Explained Simply

   5 lessons

   1. Standard VAT Accounting Scheme
   2. Flat Rate Scheme - How It Works
   3. Cash Accounting Scheme
   4. Annual Accounting Scheme
   5. Choosing a VAT Scheme - Key Factors to Consider

4. Charging VAT Correctly

   5 lessons

   1. VAT Rates Explained (Standard, Reduced, Zero)
   2. What You Must Charge VAT On
   3. Invoicing Requirements Explained
   4. VAT on Deposits, Refunds & Credit Notes
   5. Common VAT Charging Mistakes

5. Practical VAT - Step-by-Step Self-Monitoring

   10 lessons

   1. The VAT Threshold = The Exact Figures You Need to Know
   2. How to Track Your VAT Threshold Month by Month
   3. Worked Example - A Business Approaching the VAT Threshold
   4. When VAT Actually Starts - Dates, Timing, and Common Traps
   5. How VAT Affects Your Prices and Cash Flow (In Practice)
   6. Flat Rate vs Standard VAT - A Practical Reality Check
   7. What Records You Actually Need to Keep (and What You Don't)
   8. Understanding VAT Returns Without Filling Them Yourself
   9. When to Stop and Get Advice - VAT Red Flags
   10. VAT Self-Monitoring Checklist

6. VAT Returns & Records - Staying in Control

   5 lessons

   1. How Often VAT Returns Are Due
   2. What VAT Records You Need to Keep to Stay Compliant
   3. How Long VAT Records Must Be Kept (and Why It Matters)
   4. How VAT Returns Are Calculated (What the Numbers Actually Mean)
   5. How VAT Fits Into Your Overall Business Finances

7. VAT Confidence, Boundaries & Final Checks

   5 lessons

   1. What HMRC Actually Cares About (and What They Don't)
   2. How to Know You're Managing VAT Well Enough
   3. Late VAT Payments, Surcharges & Penalties - What Really Happens
   4. Common VAT Worries That Aren't Actually Problems
   5. Final VAT Confidence Check & Next Steps